Hosiery inspecting machine attachment



July 20,1943. 5, R, A MMQN 2,324,897

HOSIERY INSPECTING MACHINE ATTACHMENT Filed Sept. 11, 1941 3 She'ets-Sheet 1 ELM,-

July 20, 1943. E. AMMON HOSIERY INSPECTING MACHINE ATTACHMENT Filed Sept. 11, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 20, 1943. E. R. AMMON 2,

HQSIERY INSPECTING MACH INE ATTACHMENT Filed Sept. 11, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented July 20, 1943 UNITED "STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,324,397 HOSIERY INSPECTING MACHINE ATTACHMENT Edward R. lk-inmon, Reading, Pa. Application September 11, 194i, Serial No. 410,486 f 2,010,172, granted August 6, 1935, No. 2,023,946;

granted December 10, 1935, and No. 2,090,883, granted August 24, 1937.

The primary object of the present invention is to facilitate the examination of areas of *a stocking supported on a form which, because of their location, are difficult of examination. The use of mirrors is desirable for this purpose to enable the inspector to easily see areas of a stocking which are hidden from direct vision when the inspector occupies-her usual position opposite the side of the stocking form. However, it is diflicult to locate a mirror device in a position suitable for viewing hidden areas of a stocking at some portions of the inspecting form without interfering with the application of stocking-s to the form and their withdrawal therefrom.

It is an important object of the present invention to overcome the problem 311st referred to. The most di'flicult area to inspect is the toe pottion of the stocking which is supported at the end of the form at which the stockings are applied and removed. It is a specific object of the invention to provide a mirror device in conjunction with the inspecting form which will enable this area of stockings to be examined easily and quickly by the inspector, and to accomplish this in such manner that the mirror device will not be in the way of the operator when stockings are applied to and removed from the form.

The above and other objects are accomplished by providing a mirror device with a movable mounting so arranged that the mirror device during inspection will be located in a viewing position proximate'the form from which it is withdrawn to a retracted position during the times when stockings are being drawn on or off the form. In order that the operation of the mirror device may not be imposed as a burden on the inspector, it is further proposed that the same shall be shifted between its retracted and viewing positions automatically. This can be accomplished conveniently in connectionwith the usual expansible type of form by shifting the mirror device through the actuating mechanism. usually a motor, through which the stocking stretching parts of the form are'expanded.

. The invention will be understoodby reference to the illustrative drawings and the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment. In the drawings: A r Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a hosiery inspecting machine embodying the present invention in conjunction therewith; I

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the machine shown in Fig. 1; 1 r

3 is a fragmentary front elevationon an enlarged scale of certain parts shown in Fig. I; Fig. 4 is a top plan view corresponding to Fig. 3; H Fig. 5 is a fragmentary transverse section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4; and V w h 1 Figs. 6 and 'I are-diagrammatic views of the front end of an inspection form with a stocking thereon, and respectively illustrating the position of the mirror device at different stages of the inspecting operation,

The illustrative hosiery inspecting machine shown in Figs. -1 and 2 includes a supporting table structure l0 having secured to and outstanding from the front thereof near its right end a bracket member. I I; The hosiery inspecting form I2 is mounted on the bracket in a generally horizontal position, preferably with its left end inclining slightlyupw'aMly... The form is preferably capable of partial rotation on the bracket. The form includes, a plurality of relatively movable stocking stretching-parts mounted for projection outwardly from the body of the form as shown and described in greater detail in the prior patents above mentioned. Arranged circumferentially of theri'ght end of the form are a series of welt st'retchers l3, calf stretcher l4, heel stretcher I5, andltoe stretchers l6. In order that the heel stretcher may be properly positi'oned to receive the heel pocket of stockings of difierentfoot size, the toe supporting portion ll embodying the toe stretcher I8 is made separate from and mounted for adjustment lengthwise of the body'o f-the form l2 as more fully explained in Patent No;'2 ,090,-883.

The various stretching parts are expanded by an actuating rod [8 located axially of the form through suitable cam or other operating elements which need not be dealt with here. A compressed air motor 19 controlled by a valve mechanism 29 and operating through connecting rod 2| and cross arm 22 between rod 2| and rod I8 is provided to give power operation of the stocking stretching parts of the form; Motor control valve 20 may be actuated through a foot pedal 23 to supply air to and exhaust air from the motor,

or other control means may be employei as for example, a control member disposed at the right end of the form to be actuatable by the hand of the inspector incident to manipulation of a stocking, which control mechanism forms the subject-matter of my copending application Serial No. 402,824, filed July 1'7, 1941.

The mirror device to be used in conjunction with the inspecting machine as above described is movable in character, so that it may be shifted from one position to another in the course of inspection. The greatest use of such arrangement will be in connection with the inspection of the end of the stocking toe and the adjoining areas hidden from the direct view of the inspector occupying a position opposite the front of the table H1. The mechanism shown is adapted for such purpose. Mounted on bracket 24 secured to the front of the left end of the table is a stationary supporting plate or member 25 disposed beneath and in spaced relation to the foot portion of form |2. An auxiliary supporting member 26 is mounted on supporting plate 25 for adjustment thereon in a direction lengthwise of the form for reasons hereafter explained. Plate 25 is provided with a series of slots 21 and 28 in which slide stud bolts 29 and 30 secured to the auxiliary member 26. Spacing washers 3| and 32 are preferably applied to the bolts intermediate plates 25 and 26. Plate 26 at its upper side is provided with a series of rack teeth 33 coactive with a locking finger 34 carried by member 35 pivotally mounted on the upper side of plate 25 as best shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. Through such arrangement plate 26 may be locked in' a number of different positions lengthwise of plate 25.

The auxiliary plate 26 is provided with an elongated guide slot or track 31, best shown in Fig. 3, which is more or less arcuate in form and extending progressively upwardly from left to right. The right hand portion of the slot is horizontal or slightly inclined while the slot adjacent its left end is relatively steeply inclined to the horizontal. A mirror supporting carriage 38 is slidably mounted on auxiliary plate 26 through means of stud bolts 39 and 40 riding in slot 31.

The form of the carriage 38 will depend on the type of mirror means to be employed. From experience I have found that a plurality of relatively small slightly concave mirrors capable of independent adjustment are most satisfactory for use in connection with the movable carriage in the inspection of the stocking toe portion both from the standpoint of producing a full view of the surface areas of the toe which lie in different planes and from the standpoint of size. As best shown in Figs. 2 and 4 carriage 38 is provided with transversely extending arms 4|, 42. Arm 4| is provided with a socket receiving supporting rod 43 to the outer end of which is secured a relatively small circular mirror 44. A ball and socket connection 45 is provided between the mirror and rod 43 to provide for a swiveling adjustment of the mirror relative thereto, and preferably the mirror is also free to turn on its connection 45. Connection 45 connects with the mirror adjacent its periphery. Through the arrangement just described the mirror is capable of adjustment through a wide range of positions and angles so that it will give a satisfactory View of the particular toe area of the stocking which it is intended to show to the operator. A second similar mirror 46 is mounted through the same type of adjustable arrangement on the second arm 42 of carriage 48. It'will be noted that mirror supporting arm 42 is of somewhat shorter length than arm 4| so that mirror 46 is closer to the axial line of the form than mirror 44. Through this arrangement and the adjustable mounting of the mirrors on plate 25 the end of the stocking toe and the adjoining side areas thereof at the back and undersides of the form toe portion, and also at the forward side of the toe portion, may be clearly viewed by the inspector from her usual position in front of the central side area of the form.

It will be noted that in Figs. 1 and 2 carriage 38 and the mirrors are shown in their retracted right end position wherein the mirrors are located beneath the toe end of the form with a spacing sufficient to enable a stocking to be drawn on the form without interference by the mirrors with the hand of the operator. In Figs. 3 and 4 carriage 38 has been projected to the left beyond the toe end of the form and upwardly towards the axis of the form by its slot track 31 to bring the mirrors into their viewing position beyond and opposite the form to portion. Shifting of carriage 38 is preferably accomplished automatically so as not to add to the duties of the inspector. This is accomplished through an actuating rod 41 operative through the motor means which effects expansion of the form stretching parts. As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, rod 2| from motor I9 is provided with a loose collar 46. A pair of fixed collars 49 and 58 are mounted on rod 2| and between such collars and collar 48 are located opposing springs 5| and 52. This provides a lost motion operating connection between rods 2|, 4'! by which mirror supporting carriage 38 is shifted in its path of movement relative to auxiliary plate 26 despite th greater traverse of actuating rod 2 arm 22, and actuating rod |8 in effecting full expansion of the stocking stretching parts of the form.

As previously mentioned, auxiliary plate 26 together with carriage 38 and the mirrors is adjustable on stationary plate 25 in a direction lengthwise of the form. This is to enable the mirrors to be brought to a correct viewing position for any lengthwise setting of the adjustable form toe section I! for different size stockings. Because of this adjustability of carriage 38 independently of its shifting movement, it is necessary to make provision for adjusting the effective length of actuating rod 41. This is accomplished as best shown in Figs. 3 and 4 by providing a connecting plate 53 on the left end of rod 41 having a series of notched teeth 54 along its underside which are adapted to interchangeably receive the projecting portion of bolt 40 on the back side of carriage 38. Each time auxiliary plate 26 is adjusted to anew position relative to the stationary supporting plate 25 the connecting plate 53 on actuating rod 41 is adjusted relative to mirror carriage 38.

At the start of an inspecting operation the machine is as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 with the stretching parts of the form collapsed and the mirrors 44 and 46 in their retracted position. The operator draws a stocking on the form. A stocking is shown in position on the form in Fig. 6. The operator then actuates the operating motor I!) through pedal 23 or other control, thus effecting movement of operating rod 2| to the left. This eflects expansion of the stretching parts |3, |4, I5 and I6 of the form to stretch the heel, toe and other areas of the stocking. Through rod 41 carriage 38 is shifted to the left and upwardly as previously explained, thereby throwingthe mirrors l4 and 46 into their viewing position as shownfinFlgLfl. When the entire Stocking has been" inspectedthe operator releases the control causing rod 'M'to move to the right. The stretching parts of the form are thus collapsed and mirror carriage 38 moves downwardly and inwardly to its retracted position below the form. The mirrors are now out of the way so that the operator can withdraw the stocking oi the form, and thereafter apply a further stocking to the form to begin a new inspection operation; "Ihrough the use of the mirror device of the present invention thorough inspection of the toe area of a stocking can be secured. The operator r the mirror means rendering said actuating means does not have toshift her position in examining the stocking toe with a consequent saving of effort and time on her part so that her production capacity of inspected stockings is appreciably increased.

It will be understood that the detailed construction herein illustrated and described provides a preferred adaptation of the invention, but that the invention is capable of embodiment in other forms and is to be taken to be protected as broadly as permitted by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a hosiery inspecting machine, a stocking receiving form having movable stocking stretchmg parts, actuating means for expanding said stretching parts, mirror means for viewing areas of a, stocking at a portion of the form obscured from direct vision movable between a viewing position in optical registry with said obscured form portion and a retracted position free from interference with the manipulation of stockings on and off the form, and means for moving the mirror means between retracted and viewing positions in response to operation of the means actuating the stocking stretching parts, whereby the mirror means will be in viewing position when the stocking stretching parts are expanded during periods of stocking inspection, and will be in retracted position when the stocking stretching parts are retracted during periods of manipulation of stockings on and off the form.

2. In a hosiery inspecting machine, a stocking receiving-form having a stocking toe supporting end portion and including movable stretching parts for expanding the stocking, actuating means for expanding the stocking stretching form parts, mirror means for viewing the'toe area of a stocking on the form movable in a plane parallel to the form axis between a viewing position opposite the toe end of the form and a retracted position laterally ofiset from the form, and means for moving the mirror means from retracted to viewing position responsive to operation of actuating means for the form stretching parts.

3. In a stocking inspecting machine, a stocking receiving form having a stocking toe supporting end portion and including movable stocking stretching parts, motor means for actuating the stocking stretching form parts, mirror means for viewing the toe area of a stocking on the form shiftable from a retracted position laterally offset from the form to a viewing position opposite the end of the form toe position, means actuatable by the motor means which operates the form stretching parts for shifting said mirror means between retracted and viewing positions, a mounting supporting the mirror means for adustment independently of its shifting movement operativeto shift the'mirror means to different adjusted viewing positions lengthwise of the form;

4. In a hosiery inspecting machine, a stocking receiving form having a stocking toe supporting end portion, mirror means for viewing the toe area of a stocking on the form, a stationary support laterally ofiset'i'rom the form, track means on the stationary support comprising a track portion extendingsubstantially lengthwise of the form and a-further track portion in continuation of the first portion inclining towards the form, a movable carriage on the support mounting the mirror means and guided by said track means to shift the mirror means from a retracted position laterally offset from the form to a viewing position opposite the end of the form toe portion, and means for actuating said carriage.

5. In a hosiery inspecting machine, a stocking receiving form having a stocking toe supporting end portion, mirror means for Viewing the toe area of a stocking on the form, a stationary support laterally offset from the form, an auxiliary support mounted on the stationary main support, a carriage on the auxiliary support mounting the mirror means and movable on the auxiliary support to shift the mirror means from a position laterally offset from the form to a viewing position opposite the end of the form toe portion, said auxiliary support being adjustably mounted on the stationary main support for movement substantially lengthwise of the form to vary the position of the carriage and mirror means relative to the form, and means for actuating the carriage.

6. In a hosiery inspecting machine, a horizontally mounted stocking receiving form having a stocking toe supporting end portion, a plurality of mirrors arranged transversely of the form and having retracted positions spaced beneath the form toe portion, a stationary support, a carriage mounting the mirrors, means slidably mounting the carriage on the stationary support for movement simultaneously lengthwise of and inwardly towards the form toe portion to shift the mirrors from their retracted positions beneath the form to their viewing positions outwardly of and substantially opposite the end of the form toe portion, means for individually adjusting the mirrors on their carriage, and actuating means for operating the carriage.

7. In a hosiery inspecting machine, a stocking receiving form having a stocking toe supporting end portion, a plurality of mirrors for viewing the toe area of a stocking on the form, a carriage having arms extending transversely of the form, connecting means supporting the mirrors for independent swivel adjustment on said carriage arms, means supporting the mirror carriage for adjustment lengthwise of the form, means for moving the carriage in a plane parallel to the form axis to shift the mirrors between viewing positions opposite the end of the form toe portion and retracted positions removed from the end of the form toe portion.

8. In a hosiery inspecting machine, a stocking receiving form having a stocking toe supporting end portion over which stockings are drawn on and off the form, and including movable stocking stretching parts adapted to expand a Stocking for inspection, a support mounting the form,

' out of the path over which stockings are drawn on and off the form, a stationary supporting member spaced from the form, a shiftable mounting carrying the mirror means, means supporting said mirror mounting means for movement on the stationary member in a fixed path to shift the mirror means alternately between its viewing position and retracted position, and actuating means for shifting the mounting means in its fixed path and operable to move the mirror means to its viewing position when stockings are in inspecting position on the. form and to retracted position during periods between inspection when stockings are drawn on and ofl the form.

9. A hosiery inspecting machine according to claim 8 and having mirror means comprising a plurality of angularly related mirror surface por-. tions for viewing predetermined areas of the toe of a stocking on the form from different angles, said angularly related mirror portions being supported by the shiftable mounting for simultaneous movement between viewing and retracted positions.

EDWARD R. AMMON. 

